Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice: A History of Christians in Action

by Karen J. Johnson

Advancing Racial Towards a More Equitable Society

Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice is a beacon of hope for understanding America's complex racial landscape. Through rigorous historical research and compelling narrative storytelling, Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice illuminates the past's intersections of Christianity, race, and place, offering profound insights for today's world. Learn about the brave efforts of heroes like Catherine de Hueck in New York City or John Perkins in Mississippi, whose faith-driven missions transformed communities through justice and reconciliation. Beyond history, Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice empowers readers with practical recommendations, encouraging them to rethink and reshape their own communities for justice.

Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice explores the important role faith plays in radical justice

The intertwining of faith and racial justice as a driving force throughout history.Examining faith communities who served as catalysts for social change by championing equality and justice.Exploring religious teachings that inspired advocates to confront systemic racism and propagate the message of love, acceptance, and unity.Studying key figures that used faith as a foundation to fuel their activism for civil rights.Faith has often been at the heart of significant strides toward racial justice. From the Civil Rights Movement to present-day challenges, individuals and faith-based organizations have steadfastly committed to justice work, drawing strength and motivation from their spiritual beliefs. Whether you're a scholar, teacher, activist, or avid reader of U.S. history, Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice will enrich your understanding and inspire action as you uncover the stories of those who dared to be different for the greater good and joined the pursuit of justice.

Genres: Race, History, Politics

352 pages, Hardcover

Published July 29, 2025

Reviews

[Aidan Busch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a lot, and found it quite thought provoking on a number of levels.

Dr. Johnson was a professor of mine- in many ways, she was probably the most significant academic influence for me in college. This book in many ways represents the best of her approach to being a faithful Christian through the study and practice of history: asking good questions that we might be transformed by what we learn about those in the last, through exercising humility, understanding context, and seeing the complexity of our subjects.

Her own passion for studying the complex relationship between faith, religion, civil rights, and race in the 20th century shines through as she considers the stories of a really interesting set of people, ranging from a catholic urban missionary of sorts (De Hueck) to the founders of the church she attended in the early aughts.

I found the chapters on John Perkins, Koinonia Farm, and Rock Church to be the best and most thought provoking. I so admire their faithfulness to an incarnate and embodied practice of the words of Jesus as they felt called to it- in all its messiness. I’m still turning over what it means for me in my head, but It helped turn a mirror on the ways I put distance between myself and Jesus’ heart for those around me.

The book wasn’t perfect- I thought the chapters on De Hueck didn’t quite connect as cleanly to the others, and the “Questions and Implications” section at the end of each chapter was sometimes a bit too much to digest on a first reading. But I really appreciated the conclusion- some Historians seek to take their own lenses and selves out of their work, but in doing so only obscure the inevitability of these things. Hearing more about Johnson’s own story and how it connects to the book (which I know glimpses of through knowing her personally and what she reveals in the substance of the book) made the content all the more moving.

[Jamie Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may be a bit biased because I, too, attended Rock Church during the time Dr. Johnson attended. She captured the creative and long standing tradition held within this community and highlighted the joyful services filled with gratitude for God's immense grace. The Austin neighborhood underwent what many U.S. cities experienced during suburbanization, which was a venue for self segregation. The Rock made it their business to undo that. I have fond memories of friendship, cultural perspective taking, becoming an adult, growing up in my career, and learning that as Christians we should expand our friendship lens, be an agent for equality, show appreciation to difference, respect everyone and seek to understand, embrace with dignity, and build friendships. When we do that, we may actually experience the kingdom of God more intimately. What a gift, and thank you for telling the story, Dr. Johnson.

[Deanna Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is titled Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice but it’s clear the people in it are extraordinary. Yet they were just treating to follow the call of God. If you’re a Christian and have an ounce of desire to understand racial justice, and how to love and live as God calls us to, you will be inspired and compelled by the lives and work of these people. Thank you for the reminder and for these real life examples of setting the pace toward a more just and beautiful world where brothers and sisters, black and white and everyone in between can not only coexist but thrive in a beautiful community, if we are willing to do the work.

Thank you to NetGalley and author Karen Johnson for an ARC of this book!

[Caroline Lauber · Rating 5 out of 5]

In college, I had the immense pleasure of being one of Dr. Johnson’s students and teaching assistants. Reading her book made me feel like I was back in class, learning how to approach and study history as a Christian with humility, empathy, and persistence. This is my favorite topic to study and Dr. Johnson made it personal and illuminating. Must get together with her immediately to discuss.

“…learn to love the dead as we would love the living, trying to understand that person in their context, while still recognizing sin.”

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

In A Little Book for New Historians, Tracey McKenzie concludes his book with the argument “If you are a new historian, you should expect to increase in historical knowledge, thinking skill, and consciousness, but you should also hope to grow in humility, charity, and wisdom.” (p.105, emphasis mine). Following in her colleague’s footsteps, Johnson in Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice uses four stories to walk readers through an illuminating process of both the art and science of historical inquiry. The introduction offers powerful evidence of a practitioner who has clearly led students through the process of historical thinking. Johnson describes how history is different from the past and alludes to the 6 C’s of history (Context, Complexity, Contingency, Change over time, Causality, and Caritas/love/empathy), with her strongest arguments for context and empathy.
The meat of Ordinary Heroes is in the stories of Catherine De Hueck, John Perkins, Clarence Jordan, and Rock of our Salvation. In each of these stories, Johnson leads readers through different historical skills, from true stories to context to humility to understanding. Throughout the text, Ordinary Heroes combines scholarly research (footnotes, NOT endnotes- SO HELPFUL!) with personal testimonies and experiences from primary and secondary sources.
The structure of Ordinary Heroes makes this one of the more accessible history books on the market, with each section broken down into smaller, digestible chunks. Without falling into presentism, where the current ideas are mapped unto the past, Johnson analyzes her subjects and ends each chapter with a “Questions and Implications” section where she poses questions and includes some of her own thoughts while leaving other questions up to the reader. This structure, both in length and format, makes Ordinary Heroes an excellent candidate for book groups.
On the divisive topic of race, Johnson seeks a tertium quid, a third way, that is neither to the political right or left but analyzed through the lens of Scripture and the context of history. Acknowledging her own context and that of the people she studies, she illustrates the complexity of them as individuals, groups, and their times. For a fuller review on this topic in particular, see Christianity Today’s excellent summary- Racial Reconciliation Is on the Move - Christianity Today.
Including both craft and skills, Johnson lives up to the goals in her introduction as she leads us to see the importance of history to “craft true narratives, to value context, to practice humility, and to exercise empathy.”
Whether you are new to the historical field like McKenzie’s target audience, or steeped in the craft and knowledge of history, Ordinary Heroes has something for everyone, and provides a great read “for such a time as this.”

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Review of Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice – A History of Christians in Action

Why read this book? The introduction alone captures the heart of the message:

“Race has mattered throughout American and American church history, and it continues to shape our lives in ways we may not even see. Some Christians in America have carried racial burdens more heavily than others. But today, no Christian in America, no matter their racial background, can ignore race. This is a gift from God, a moment when we, the church in all its diversity, can seek justice and righteousness in all their fullness.”

This book invites readers to step into history—not as distant observers, but as part of a continuing story. Through the lives of ordinary believers who chose courage and compassion over comfort, it reminds us that faith in action has the power to transform communities and, over time, the world.

In Dr. Johnson’s own words “This is an uncommon history book.” She doesn’t just recount events; she challenges readers to think critically about how we’ve come to know what we think we know. She peels back layers of assumption and invites us to look deeper, asking not just what happened but what it means for us today.

The book is beautifully written and deeply engaging. From the very first sentence, it draws you in—and once you start, it’s hard to put down. The narrative flows so naturally that you forget you’re reading history; instead, it feels like a conversation with a trusted guide who wants you to see and understand more.

What makes this book stand out even more is the way Johnson meets you at the end of each section. She doesn’t just leave you with information—she leaves you with thoughtful questions and gentle challenges. These reflections help you process what you’ve read and consider what your next steps might be, whether that’s learning more, rethinking assumptions, or taking action in your own community. This isn’t just history; it’s an invitation—to learn, to reflect, and to engage in the ongoing story of justice and reconciliation.

[Alexis McIlrath · Rating 4 out of 5]

In first picking up this book, I was anticipating a survey of historical figures who were involved in areas of racial justice. What I was met with was that and so much more! Karen Johnson lovingly and thoroughly introduces the reader to four people and communities where you are immersed into their world through various moments in history. Karen Johnson writes in a way that shows the complexity of humanity. She reminds the readers that God uses people who are not perfect and who we may even think are not the right people to accomplish God’s work here on earth. Giving the reader a chance to appreciate the complexity of these communities leads to a deeper appreciation for each of their intersections and impacts in the history of racial justice.

I also deeply appreciated the structure of the book. While the reader gets to know the people and communities, Karen Johnson also seamlessly ties in the broader historical and structural contexts that were impacting race at the time. At the end of each chapter, the reader is offered some personal insight from Karen Johnson and given a chance to wrestle with questions that she poses in relation to the content of that chapter. This book is accessible to a wide range of audiences - those who are new to conversations about race in Christian contexts and those who may be familiar with it. Karen Johnson encourages her readers to wrestle with the ideas that run through her book and she wrestles right alongside you! She writes in her introduction as an encouragement to her readers, “God is bigger than all we know, and he can handle our questions and our fumbling”.

I highly encourage people to read this book!

[David Swartz]

Really fun to read about Koinonia Farm in Americus, Georgia; Circle Church in Chicago; Voice of Calvary in Jackson, Mississippi; and other places and people that I’ve encountered in my own research. Johnson’s book really emphasizes place and encounter. She has lived in—or visited for an extended time—the communities each of the main heroes founded. (Although I wonder how heroic Clarence Jordan will seem after I read David Evans’s *Damned Whiteness: How White Christian Allies Failed the Black Freedom Movement*. Not sure—haven’t read it yet). Johnson is engaging in a kind of embodied scholarship that forces the author to turn the gaze back on herself. She’s doing moral reflection, not just moral judgment. So there’s a lot of good rigorous U.S. history, but also a lot of thoughtful, sometimes agonizing, deliberation from Johnson on her own life decisions.

Money quote: “But now I was pregnant, and those ten hours of weekly commuting looked costly, both in terms of paying for childcare and in time away from my baby. Our values were crashing into Chicagoland’s racial geographies and systemic sin. If we moved to Wheaton, we wanted to be close to the college because we had one car, which Eric would need for his commute. But Wheaton was majority White and pretty wealthy, with its own complicated racial history, as I would later learn, shaped by the housing dynamics that had made the Austin neighborhood predominantly African American. Would I actually live there? We answered yes, but with great fear. . . .”

[David Carriere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice is a deeply researched and profoundly moving exploration of how faith has shaped the pursuit of racial justice in America. Karen J. Johnson brings together history, moral clarity, and narrative storytelling to highlight individuals whose courage was rooted not in fame or power, but in conviction.
What makes this book exceptional is its focus on ordinary people whose faith compelled them to act in extraordinary ways. Figures like Catherine de Hueck and John Perkins come alive not as distant historical icons, but as people navigating resistance, fear, and sacrifice while remaining steadfast in their commitment to justice and reconciliation. Johnson skillfully shows how Christian teachings became a catalyst for confronting systemic racism rather than a refuge from it.
The book succeeds on multiple levels. It is rigorous enough for scholars and educators, accessible enough for general readers, and practical enough to inspire meaningful action today. The reflections and recommendations encourage readers to examine their own communities and consider how faith, when paired with courage, can still challenge injustice.
This is an essential read for anyone interested in U.S. history, racial justice, or the intersection of faith and social change. Honest, hopeful, and empowering, Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice reminds us that transformation often begins with ordinary people choosing to act.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice has been an enlightening read! I have really enjoyed how the author, Karen Johnson, has woven the threads of historical figures in her explanations of how their unique roles impacted racial justice. Karen Johnson has written an incredibly rich book that shares with us, the reader, how complex humanity is and she points others to God and His role in giving each of us purpose while on earth, to love others and promote unity and justice. Karen Johnson's writing gives the reader a deep appreciation for how their stories can intersect with racial justice, The focus is on the stories of four amazing individuals: Catherine De Hueck, John Perkins, Clarence Jordan, and Rock of our Salvation. She allows the reader to really get to know each of these individuals and their communities, and ties together the broader historical contexts that were occurring in their time. The depth of research, with ample footnotes/endnotes to reference each section, will give you a greater understanding of racial justice through the eyes of four-time frames, four-geographical areas, and four-incredible people. Thank you to NetGalley and IVP Academic for the Advance Review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Laurel Williston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was not what I expected. It does not read as a linear story, but each story is told in such a way as to give it historical context and teach the reader how a historian might investigate them.

I learned a lot about the people who were profiled but also about how to learn about history, racial justice, and how the Christian faith can inform activism.

This book was challenging, intriguing, inspiring, and educational, all at the same time. I really appreciated the questions in each chapter for reflection and/or discussion and hope to read the book again with a group.

[Currey Blandford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book details history that very few people know. The stories are diverse, yet intertwined. A great read for anyone interested in learning more about race in America.